Chapter XX: Road to Eternity
The Ninth Sister - Synta - Day 7
At this point, the Ninth Sister shouldn't have been surprised.
She thought Eloren to be a woman of brilliance, a tactically inclined genius fueled by ambition. She would've gone as far as to claim her to be a typical imperial success story, a lone soul climbing the ranks of the vast war machine through sheer willpower - but yet, there it was: the dualism that defined Eloren, one that concerned her greatly. Ninth Sister could feel the woman's pride and glee flowing through her system. She was proud to serve, that much would've been clear to anyone that put their eyes on her. But there was more, something that she herself perhaps hasn't recognized yet. Eloren interpreted her presence on this mission as proof for the countless days, weeks and years she has invested into the Empire. Yet in the back of her mind, there was something else, something far darker. It was the realization that if they wouldn't be successful, they probably wouldn't live to face Palpatine's wrath. For both of their sakes, she needed the spy's calculated side back, now more than ever. Once more, both of their lives were in jeopardy, even if only one of them realized it fully as of now.
''Alright, so this is Synta ... what a lovely place. Anything else on this planet than storms and rocks?''
Eloren pulled down a display from above her seat, letting her fingertips jump up and down on the console while her eyes darted from information to information.
''Nothing in the records or on the scanner. Though I doubt that we'd get anything from them given that those blasted storms are wreaking havoc on the equipment.''
As if on command, thunderous turbulence rocked the small ship to its core. Ninth Sister barred her teeth at that. Somehow, she just knew that this planet could go kiss her ass already without having stepped foot on it once.
''Great. Bring us down, Eloren. Let's get this over with.''
The shuttle faced the chaotic winds head-on as it began its descend, thick rain being replaced by a barren sight. Rock after rock claimed the planet's surface, not a single sign of life nearby. With the ship's stabilizers working overtime, it landed on a nearby plateau, the sound of heavy rain dancing over its black metal hull.
Though Ninth Sister's ordinance remained the same, Eloren has thrown herself into a sturdy and isolated suit usually reserved for the pilots of the Empire. It was warm and yet agile, seemingly sounding perfect for the forces of nature that haunted Synta. However, it wasn't the rain that concerned the Inquisitor. It was the elusive Force wielder hiding somewhere on this rocky husk. She didn't doubt that she was up to the task, far from it. Yet something about this felt strange - as if things were transpiring within the higher echelons of the Empire even she wasn't aware of it. She scuffed at that whole heartily. Of course there was, she thought grimly. Once more, she was made the pawn in a game she desperately wished to escape from.
Eloren's thick boots jumped out off the shuttle, her blaster rifle trained firmly into the air. Ninth Sister followed suit, using the Force to bring her lightsaber into her hand as her predatory eyes scanned the horizon for movement.
''Clear. Where to now?''
The Ninth Sister raised her hand, drops of rain falling down her facial horns. No matter how much wind pressed against her face, she managed to feel nothing as her mind became one with the Force, her spirit caressing the earth like an insect. If there was something on this planet, she'd find it.
And she did.
There was something, faint yet there, in the far distance. A presence, a storm of raw emotions overshadowing the actual storm that raged around her. It had to be their target.
''I ... I actually feel something. Raw, furious. The Dark Side.''
Eloren peeked at the Inquisitor, her eyes concealed by her black helmet.
''How do you even do that? This ... Force, I mean.''
She let her hand wander back to the hilt of her saber, rolling her eyes at the agent before sliding her red visor over them. Even if she'd able to explain something as natural to her as the Force, she wouldn't. It was bad enough that the Grand Inquisitor put Eloren on her heel, she certainly wouldn't indulge the operative's ambitions even further, no matter if she started to respect her many talents or not. From where she was standing, the more Eloren knew, the more dangerous everything could become.
''Shut it, Eloren. Let's go!''
Hellish gusts of air dashed by them, the planet's uncaring nature trying to break their will at every step. Yet the Inquisitor's lust for the hunt wasn't to be controlled as they pressed on, their goal set in their minds as they got closer and closer. Sharp spikes seemingly made out of rock, dead-looking vines that rested on the ground like arteries and a storm that threatened to crush them beneath its sheer power - Synta was a harsh place. It would take a lot of power to survive here.
Anyone that manages to keep their head here is probably dangerous. Who exactly are we hunting here?
At this moment, the back of her mind conjured up an image that infuriated her without equal. It was the Inquisitor turned traitor, the Second Sister. That sith spawn that managed to break free of all of this whilst the Ninth Sister was left behind, waiting for the eventual death sentence that was the Empire. At least those dark thoughts gave her much needed strength as the rain grew thicker, bringing her ever closer to her target.
They marched for what had to be a good hour until suddenly, Eloren grew to a quick halt.
''There ... just ahead. There is something on the floor.''
And indeed there was. Not even a dozen steps ahead of them was a dusty stone tablet anchored between two smaller rocks, a dark and seemingly endless entrance to a cave resting firmly behind it. Her fingers began to shiver as her eyes rested on the tablet. That's it, their destination and their reason to be here. And of course, it had to be a damp and dark cave seemingly leading into oblivion.
''I can't make sense out of that. Know that language, Eloren?''
She shook her head ere she kneeled in front of the strange object.
''Not really, no. Don't even have any equipment with me to take probes ... but look. What is that?''
Carefully, Eloren lifted the stone plate into the air, revealing a strange drawing that was hidden by the rocks. On it, two younger figures - one male and one female - seemed to be trapped in some sort of struggle, with a third figure, an elderly male, keeping them apart by mere inches.
''I don't care about some long-gone people, Eloren.'' she stated matter of factly ''we've got a job to do. You want to be lost behind, fine by me.''
Igniting her weapon, Ninth Sister used it as a torch as she stepped into the cave, recoiling slightly by the eery silence that kept the rocky ceiling in its grasp. Slowly yet steadily, the sound of the hungry wind disappeared into nothingness, with only the thud of their boots as their only companion as they entered the cave system deeper. Ninth Sister had to keep her lower than she wanted, the top of her helmet hitting some loose rocks above as she picked up on speed. Nothing good ever happened in dark caves, that much was sure. Wasn't the first time a Jedi survivor tried to hide in a similar setting, but this wasn't a Jedi. At this point, she wasn't sure what to expect anymore.
''Your helmet showing anything? 'Cause I'm only getting ... ''
A scream, the sound of the rock-solid floor giving way to the void as Ninth Sister lost her footing, her body crashing down into the depth. It was out of pure instinct that she tapped into the Force, letting it guide her as she crept closer to the floor beneath her. With sharp pain raging in her leg, she let go of an angered scream as her feet landed on something solid. She was about to strike out with her saber as she opened her mouth in amazement, removing her visor as she gasped.
''Wow. This is ... impossible.''
Cal - Day 5 - Ordel, somewhere near Stone Town
It was a beautiful night as Trilla and Cal walked deeper into Ordel's gorgeous landscape. The sun had now completely disappeared behind the horizon, leaving back a stunningly bright moon and an almost equally bright Stone Town to boot. What wasn't as entrancing as those, however, was the current mood that echoed between Cal and Trilla, a result of their somewhat heated debate back on the Mantis.
''If we hurry, we might find some rest in the mountains. Those mercenaries Cere told us about need to sleep somewhere too, I'd wager.'' Trilla ushered coldly, her eyes always turned onto the mountains as Cal tried to keep up with her pace.
Silence controlled their journey once more. Though they made good progress, the farther they went away from Stone Tone, the darker it got. Add to that the increasing amount of strange noises seemingly following them from the underwood, Cal grew more concerned as time went on.
''Let's hope that our four-legged friends won't get any dumb ideas, eh?'' he removed his lightsaber from under the poncho, holding it close to his chest as he glared at Trilla ''that thing with wings was scary.''
She merely grunted at that. After about half an hour, the soft grasslands of Ordel were replaced by uneven dirt and ever-growing hills. Using the Force to enhance her speed, Trilla darted up a nearby set of trees, spying further ahead.
''Alas, whatever happens - happens. Just be on the look-out.'' she said sharply ere she jumped down the trees.
Knowing that one of his witty remarks would only escalate the situation more than needed, Cal shrugged wordlessly at her. He liked her, he thought. He'd never fully be able to look past at the things she did, but he did like her. That didn't change the fact that he thought himself to be right. When it came to the Force, he considered himself to be more ''stable'', if one could even use such a terminus when it came to it. If whatever Trilla sensed was really of the Dark Side, she needed him. Trilla would need something that anchored her in the Light, and if that was to be him, he'd be honored to help her in such a way.
''It's as I thought'' Trilla added ''the only save path is through a small settlement of tents ... which I assume to be the mercenaries. Either that or we'll have to move through treacherous territory.''
He grimaced at that. They could either take the direct route and face a plethora of variables, or they'd have to strive through unknown and uncharted land. As much as he hated it, the choice seemed obvious to him.
''Guess we'll try to make friends. Can't have us dancing up and down that mountain without reason.''
''Yeah, you're quite skilled at making friends, aren't you?''
Come on, Trilla.
He raised his hands quickly and looked at her apologetically. If they wanted to make this, they needed to stick together. They certainly didn't need this.
''You know that I didn't mean what I said on the Mantis. But you need to get where I'm coming from. Please ...''
She rocked her head silently, an angry gaze directed at the ground. Cal watched as she visibly tensed up and he hoped that he didn't do more harm than good with those few choice words. Luckily, Trilla just nodded and crossed her arms in front of her chest, looking him into his eyes for what had to be the first time in hours.
''I know.''
He flashed his teeth at that and nodded eagerly. Cal was making progress with Trilla. It would take some time for her to fully open up to him, but he hoped that they'd get there eventually. Speaking of which, Cal turned his head towards the mountains. No matter how hard he tried, Cal could feel nothing out of the ordinary. What was going on there that had Trilla in such a frenzy?
Sprinting up the mountainside as fast as they could, they threw themselves behind a nearby rock as Cal's head peeked out of cover.
That's weird.
He didn't exactly think that he'd see a buzzing metropolitan made out of tents and other camping items, but what he did anticipate were some signs of life and not actual nothingness. As if anyone just stood up and left, the mercenary camp was empty, void of any soul. Worst of all was the imminent lack of any logical explanation. There weren't any scorch marks nor any signs of a struggle. Everyone just left.
''Uhm, alright. That's not normal.''
With worry Cal stepped into the middle of the deserted landscape, his heart beating in an anxious rhythm. Without much second thought, he kneeled in front of one tent, picking up a nearby frying pan as his world was once more pulled into darkness.
Three seconds. That was all it took for the drugs to work their magic. He'd get off of them ... someday. But hell, it wasn't like there was that much to do out here anyway. Especially given that they weren't allowed to visit Stone Town ... a man has his urges. From behind him, a tap - new orders? Ah. Oh my. Ah well, sucks to be them. Money is money. He grabbed his favorite rifle and followed the others. Let the carnage begin!
''You're gifted, you know that? Even for us, Force Psychometry is a blessing quite rare.''
A blessing? Cal felt sick to his stomach. He could feel how the man's syringe penetrated his own skin, pumping into him a substance most painful. The muscles in his face twisted in pain, making him drop the pan immediately.
''Curse or blessing?'' he lamented wearily, rising up once more ere he looked at Trilla.
''You tell me. Force knows if I was you, my job as an Inquisitor would've been considerably easier. ''
No doubt there. Still, even during his time in the temple, his psychometry made him feel like an outsider. Nobody quite knew what to do with it, not even his old master. And once the war started, that aspect of him lost its priority in entirety as he left Coruscant. After all, there wasn't much time for such specialized training during the Clone Wars, no matter how much he thought he could've profited from it.
Not wishing to talk about it further, Cal walked ahead, following the dirt path out of the campsite towards the mountain. Though they were gone now, nobody knew when they'd return. They'd have to get as much space as possible between them and the mercenaries. Nar Shaddaa was already enough for him, there was no need for additional conflict.
The Force?
He shook his head at that. Was he becoming too tired? It wasn't the first time he has heard the voice of his old master ringing through his skull, but the intensity of it only increased with every hour that passed. Worst of all, somehow he knew that it wasn't him. Someone similar perhaps, but not entirely Jaro Tapal.
''You coming? Figuring that we'll find some play to rest soon enough if we follow that path.''
It took them another good hour until they found their perfect resting spot, a small cave safely hidden behind an array of dense trees. Cal let himself fall to the ground, pulling his legs to his chest as he closed his eyes. It was good to finally give his tired limbs a rest, especially after everything that has happened today. Trilla sat across him, her stance akin to one his old master preferred to meditate in. They remained in their respective positions for at least two hours, give or take. Until suddenly, Trilla jumped into the air and walked deeper into the cave, her lightsaber ignited with swift ease.
''Cal ... quick! There's ... something here. Can't you hear it?!''
His heart almost threatened to jump out of his ears at Trilla's hastily reaction. He nearly dropped his saber as he followed her, desperately trying to look for something that at least to him, wasn't there.
''Uhm Trilla? There's nothing there. Really. How about we just ... ''
She raised her empty hand at him, shushing him immediately. Cal watched as she let the tip of her saber wander over the stone walls of the cave, its crimson light drawing grand shadows as she was looking for whatever she has heard. Another second passed before her blade whirled over the surface, seemingly cutting away at the stone that surrounded them. He glared at her in open disbelief, silently marveling whether she completely lost it or not. But then, something that could only be described as a miracle happened. Somehow, Trilla's attacks managed to break down a wall he hasn't even perceived at first, opening up the tunnel further in order to grant them a sight he has never once seen before. It looked like a ruin bathed in some sort of silver, blue veine-like things illuminating the ceiling as the marvelous looking complex ranged ostensibly into eternity.
''I ... wow.''
Without any reaction, Trilla jumped down the recently opened pathway, her feet landing squarely on the silver-like floor beneath her.
''Trilla! You can't just ... damn it!''
Collecting his remaining wit, he followed her with much internal conflict, unsure of what in the name of everything was even going on anymore. Clapping some of the dust he acquired during his jump from his poncho, he planted his lightsaber back onto his belt as he ran up to Trilla, who has already put her saber back into her tunic.
''How?'' Cal exclaimed questioningly, his eyes darting around like a young child in a candy shop.
''I ... don't know. There was a voice, a woman ... powerful, yet sincere? I can't quite put it. I just ... well. Here we are.''
The hallway opened up in a grand round chamber, a dry fountain resting in its middle. In the wall in front of them was an enormous painting of a woman, her green almost teal hair waving in a still wind as a dark dagger was held in front of her chest. The tip of the dagger - it itself shaped in the form of a Star Destroyer - pointing downwards, a thick gate presenting itself.
''Who is she? Is she the woman that ... ''called'' you?''
Cal's voice quivered. Confusion wouldn't do his current mental state any justice.
''I don't think so? It's just a feeling. Whoever I heard is ahead of us, more likely than not past that gate.''
He let his eyesight jump onto it. There were two pedestals next to it, one being embraced by the same blue veins that guided them through the strange the ruin. The other producing a red hue emanating apparently out of nowhere.
''You seeing this?'' Cal waltzed over to the blue pedestal, resting his hands on it. It felt calm, tranquil even. As if someone would put his hand into a warm water spring, soothing the nerves as the stress and worries of the last hours disappeared momentarily. He heard Trilla flinch from his right, a dampened scream echoing through the halls. With worry, he looked at her only to see how the gate opened up in front of him, granting them passage to push further ahead.
''Ouch. You're okay there, Trilla?''
Much to his surprise, she only smiled. Shaking her head once, she turned towards the gate with new vigor in her steps.
''Never felt better. Despite the pain, that was ... oddly refreshing. Shall we?''
With a concerned glare, he took a long look at the red pedestal. Feeling slightly sick as he kept looking at it, he decided to drop it and follow suit, stepping behind Trilla as they wandered farther into the ruin. They spotted a certainly old and dusty looking terminal in a nearby corner, its old wires looking almost as derelict as the walls that kept this structure together.
''That's ancient technology. Let's see if Cere's training has its uses, eh?''
She hurried over to the console, leaving Cal alone with his thoughts. That was certainly not how he imagined his day to go. Honestly, he wanted nothing more than a nice dinner followed by a couple of cubs of caf with Merrin, just as always. A strange and alien looking ruin wasn't really part of the plan. Still, he found himself to be endeared with the mysteries of those vestiges. It was strong in the Force, he could feel it. Was that what Trilla felt back on the ship? But then, where was that dark presence that had her in such a twist?
''Alright, it's not optimal but I got it to work. Recovered some of the data ... recordings.''
This just became a lot more interesting.
With the push of a button, a flickering hologram was conjured up out of nothing but air, unveiling a blonde woman clad in armor holding a lightsaber in front of her.
'' ... -ut who knows? We've followed her traces into this ruin. We'll still have to wait for scientific results but I can feel how the Force trembles before her. Nothing but a ghost and the Force cries wherever she treads. I can feel it too. To think what this woman once tried - it's horrible. The carnage that would follow. No matter, we'll pursue. We lost some of our people, but our will remains iron. It always does.''
Her voice seemed to be one stemming from confidence, even in the face of danger. Not quite calm, but certainly calculated.
''That's her. That was her voice I've heard, Cal.'' Trilla stated flabberghasted.
Cal arched his brows at the terminal. Who was she? She had a lightsaber, that much was obvious. Did she belong to the Jedi? And who was she hunting?
''Alright. We gotta' find out who she is. You coming?''
Once more they marched deeper, hoping that at the end of their road, they'd find some answers. Somehow, Cal felt lightly inspired by the transmission they saw. A Jedi here? If that woman was perhaps still alive, if she successfully managed to hid from Order 66, maybe even within the same ruins they now walked in - there was so much that both he and Cere could learn.
''There! It's some sort of ... recording drone? That entire design, even from an optical standpoint. That's archaic. Watch my back, perhaps there is still something juicy in its memory core.''
He did as Trilla told him, his eyes almost glued to the blue stars that swirled on the ceiling above. Soon after, a shower of sparks erupted until the droid emitted another hologram, not unlike the one they saw before. It was the lightsaber-wielding woman. This time, however, her blade was ignited. And it made Cal's stomach twist.
'' ... p-p-erhaps. No matter, we need to get this done, no matter the cost'' her words turned into whispers ''even if personal. Everyone and everything even remotely connected to her objectively hurt the stability of the galaxy, even if their morals were once bright. Students turned warlords, exiles that lost themselves. We need to contain this and we need to do this now. The Commander won't be pleased, but I ordered the total destruction of this ruin. He'll understand. He always understood me.''
She pointed the tip of her saber into the air, its red light not unlike Trilla's. Out of nowhere, another figure entered the screen, wearing black armor with a red insignia on its shoulder pieces. This man's eyes were glowing in an outlandish purple light and his limbs bent in an unnatural way as he tried to attack the woman with his bare hands. It didn't take long for her to dispatch of the menace, his head cut off in a clean strike. She pushed her hand outwards, creating something Cal has never seen in his life before. Over the tip of her fingers, lightning erupted. A bolt of power strong enough to throw the corpse back out of the screen.
''Curse her. If this truly is my last recording, tell the Commander I lo - '' she swung her head ''he knows.''
The video disappeared. Cal stood there with an open mouth, unsure of what he just witnessed. This woman just created actual lightning with a mere movement of her hand. Was that the Dark Side? Was that the reason her blade carried that unnatural and aggressive color that the Empire now used, most notably by the Inquisitorius?
''Trilla ... what happened. Who is she?''
''It's ... Force. It all makes sense now. The terminal. The droid ... this armor that man wore who attacked her.''
She stared at him with open eyes. Cal has never seen Trilla so thoroughly amazed before. It was as if someone just out and about replaced her in front of his very eyes, a cold soldier succeeded by a caring scholar.
''Can't you remember the lessons? The history of the Order - no, of the galaxy in general? This woman was a Sith. An actual Sith. The old Sith Empire, the Old Republic. All of the conflicts that exploded between them, before, during and after. It makes so much sense. But why was I called? A whisper ... an echo of the past, perhaps?''
Subconsciously, Cal grabbed his lightsaber tightly under his poncho. A Sith managed to find her way into Trilla's head? That didn't make him feel uneasy, that made him feel sick. He took a couple of steps back, watching her with eagle eyes. Would this be it? Every sort of progress wiped away and turned into a blank sheet?
''Force. We need to find out what happened to her. Come on!''
Somehow, Cal knew that that would potentially be the last time he'd see Trilla as just herself. He couldn't tell how this would develop, but he had a really bad feeling about this.
AN:
Advina: Thanks again for being part of this journey :) Don't get me started on those damn emails. I swear, in all of the years I've used FF now, somehow the emails were always a core problem of it.
Gehatik: Thanks for your feedback and for being here! :)
N7: First, I gotta respond to your PM. Secondly ... damn, Merrin is such an interesting character. I can't even begin. Can't wait for the focus to switch back to her eventually. With all of those things that will happen, she's going to have opinions. Strong ones!
It's really crazy. All of this started because I was honestly bored and wanted more Star Wars in my life. Now we're almost 80k words in, over 15k views and climbing ... crazy. Thanks for being part of this!
There's something else I'm working in the background. Did anyone say Miranda/Shepard Mass Effect Fanfiction? :O Stay tuned. There's also ... yeah, let's call it an experiment. It's something I'll probably publish eventually, but I need to put some more thoughts into it. But there's something oddly charming about having the characters of Star Wars coming together across timelines, battling it out while having conversations never thought possible before. Stay tuned, I say!
Also, there might be some spelling mistakes in chapter 20. But my god it's 1 AM and I wanted to push it out. I'll come around to take a fourth look at it soon, I promise. But there's always something I missed, damn it.
